Question : BSNL FACILITY IN WEST BENGAL

(a) Whether the BSNL facility is available in all the districts of Balurghat, Basarat and Jalpaiguri of West Bengal;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if no, the reasons therefor and the time by which all the districts of these areas are likely to be covered by BSNL facility;

(d) the total number of SIM cards provided in these areas;

(e) whether the Government is contemplating to enhance WLL facility in urban areas of these districts; and

(f) if so, the time by which the said service is likely to be started?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) All the districts of West Bengal including Balurghat (in Dakshin Dinajpur District), Barasat (in North 24 Paragana District) and Jalpaiguri (in Jalpaiguri District) have been covered by BSNL`s cellular mobile service.

(c) Does not arise in view of (a & b) above.

(d) Total number of SIM cards provided in these areas are as given below:-

Balurghat 15934 Nos.
Jalpaiguri 17350 Nos.
Barasat Barasat forms part of Calcutta Telecom District and total numbers of SIM cards provided in Calcutta Telecom District are 228264 Nos.
(e) There are no immediate plans to expand WLL facility in the Urban areas of the above mentioned Districts.

(f) Does not arise in view of (e) above.